Humanoid Robots Will Take These Jobs in Five Years: Xiaomi

Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun says artificial intelligence is set to transform traditional industries over the next five years, and he expects humanoid robots to become a central part of that shift. In an interview with Beijing Daily, Lei described AI as a core force that will rebuild industrial systems rather than a peripheral tool.

AI in Manufacturing

Lei pointed to Xiaomi’s electric vehicle factory as an early example of how AI can deliver major efficiency gains. Inspecting large die-cast components is typically slow and prone to human error. Xiaomi now uses an X-ray system combined with a vision AI model to complete the task in two seconds, providing ten times the speed and more than five times the accuracy of manual inspection. Lei called this a preview of what becomes possible when AI is deeply integrated into core manufacturing operations.

He believes this level of automation and precision could create a $140 billion industrial market. However, he stressed that no single company can build the entire ecosystem on its own, and partnerships will be essential for scaling AI across different sectors.

Humanoid Robots in Factories and Homes

Lei said Xiaomi will begin deploying humanoid robots across its factories on a large scale within five years to handle tasks currently performed by human workers. He described this as only the beginning and predicted that the home market for humanoid robots will eventually become even larger, with higher complexity and stricter performance requirements.

He also emphasized China’s role in next-generation manufacturing and warned against relying on outdated models dependent on low-cost labor. Lei urged the capital city’s industrial sector to lead with intelligent production methods to secure an advantage in the country’s manufacturing upgrade.

Xiaomi’s Robotics Push

Xiaomi introduced its CyberOne humanoid robot in 2022 as a proof of concept. Since then, the company has expanded its AI and robotics research as part of its broader plan to advance smart electric vehicles and automated industrial systems.

Xiaomi’s vision mirrors China’s long-term strategy for manufacturing transformation, with AI, robotics, and smart factories positioned as the foundation for future competitiveness.